When I was growing up in what was at the time East Juniata, I remember how my parents and the neighbors of this area tried to convince the city to repair and keep the East Juniata 17th Street Bridge open. All the talking fell on deaf ears. The bridge was closed and finally collapsed on its own.
Over the years, times have changed. The area began to grow, many new homes were built and traffic began to become heavier on what is now known as North Fourth Avenue. Those living from North Eighth Street to North 20th Street have to travel to the North Eighth Street Bridge to get to Greenwood, East Sixth Avenue, Bellwood, etc.
Now the North Eighth Street Bridge has been closed while repairs are being made, and the people in the north end of the city have to travel Ponderosa Drive or travel to Altoona's Eighth Street Bridge to get to Greenwood, East Sixth Avenue, Bellwood, etc.
I have only one question: Come tax time will the people of the north end of the city be eligible for a gas tax break for all the extra gas we need to get to our destination?
If we only had the North 17th Street Bridge.
Peggy Guyer
Altoona
